My issue is the backlighting on the center dash, including radio and all the air controls, do not come on. The only light working is the individual lights that tell you if you have air on the top vents only, top and bottom vents etc. But the backlighting for those buttons does not even work.

Assuming it might be a fuse I have checked the fuse diagram and didn't see anything that specifically matched my problem but I pulled and looked and each fuse that i didn't know what it was for. Did not find a single fuse with a break. I will probably just end up taking it to the dealer but if the problem is just a fuse I would rather fix it myself they make the long drive there. Any suggestions?

 

Your problem is known to happen to 03 accords, take it to the dealer.

 

Yep Honda has a bulliten for this
Service Bulletin
February 15, 2006
04-027
SYMPTOM
The audio display and controls (*****, buttons, bars)
of the audio-HVAC display module are dim or are dark.
PROBABLE CAUSE
Faulty audio unit.
VEHICLES AFFECTED
NOTE: Affected vehicles do not have the navigation
system.
2003 Accord (except DX models and LX L4
models): ALL
2004 Accord EX and EX-L 2-door L4:
From VIN 1HGCM7...4A000001 thru
1HGCM7...4A015326
2004 Accord EX and LX 2-door V6:
From VIN 1HGCM8...4A000001 thru
1HGCM8...4A014719
2004 Accord EX and EX-L 4-door L4:
From VIN 1HGCM5...4A000001 thru
1HGCM5...4A079049
From VIN JHMCM5...4C000001 thru
JHMCM5...4C032880
2004 Accord EX and LX 4-door V6:
From VIN 1HGCM6...4A000001 thru
1HGCM6...4A057650
CORRECTIVE ACTION
Replace the audio unit. Refer to service bulletin
06-001, Audio, Navigation, and RES Unit In-Warranty
Exchange, and Audio and DVD Player Out-of-Warranty
Repair.

Take it to your dealer and they will replace the audio unit under warranty. If they still try to charge you ask to speak with the district Honda representative. We have replaced all audio units regardless of mileage under warranty.
Good luck

 

Thanks for the info guys going to the dealer now. Sorry if there are numerous threads on this already. Did a search for before hand and couldn't find the problem. Thanks again!

 

It's ok we needed a thread with updated information for the archive.
Hope it all works out for you.

 

Finished with the dealership and they are going to do a petition to see about getting it fixed.

I am curious about one thing though. Is it not possible to install a third party cd player into the car? I don't have the digital air controls so I would think it would be possible no?

 

I think someone has a retrofit adapter for the car but I have no way of being sure. I think TouringAccord or BlkFlsh may have some information on it. The audio unit just bolts onto the back of the display. But as long as the dealer will replace it free why bothor.

 

I can answer that.

IF YOU WANT, there is a LCD replacement for our cars, ridicolously expensive, takes a few weeks to order, and the installation is just as much a PITA. But it looks nice, so I hear.

However, myself and a number of other 7th gen (03-05 accords) have used a plastic insert that fits in the compartment below the air/stereo controls. I have an LX sedan 4cyl, and it looks ok, I mean but is it looks you're going for? Alpine headunit, not sure on model #, I can get if needed. It gets rid of 2/3 of your compartments space, and the stock headunit stays lit, but does not play obviously, so you retain your clock.

If you want to see what it looks like, I have pics here on my Cardomain http://www.cardomain.com/ride/2230869

 

i think there is also something that replaces the two vents above the cd player that can fit either a 1 din or 1/2 din cd player. the upper mount one that actually replaces the stock cd player, i hear, is poor quality unfortunatley. IMO none of the options are very good, but msedacca's system is the most common and prob the best bet.